Master of Arts with a Major in History (MA)

North Georgia College & State University offers a Master of Arts with a Major in History. The program is designed to

• Provide an advance understanding of history and the historical process with a focus on American, world or military history.
• Prepare students whose knowledge of history can be used in the public information sector, the secondary educational and 2-year college level, or in pursuit of a degree beyond the Master of Arts with a Major in History.
• Provide students with the research and analytical skills that will allow them to advance in their profession or begin to explore a career in History.

 Quick Facts

• Applications are accepted for fall semesters
• April 15 application deadline
• With thesis or without a thesis option
• 30 semester-hour program
• All courses for the degree are offered within a 2-year cycle
• Evening courses offered at the Dahlonega campus

Back to Top

 Graduate Admissions Procedures

• Application materials may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions or from the North Georgia website, http://www.northgeorgia.edu/Graduate.
• Applicants pay a 1-time, non-refundable application fee.
• When all application materials required to make an admission decision have been received by the Office of Graduate Admission, notification will be sent to the applicant and a copy of admission materials will be forwarded to the program.
• Letter from the Master of Arts with a Major in History program will be sent to the applicant verifying acceptance or denial.
• Students who are admitted, but do not enroll within 1 year of acceptance, must reapply through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• Students who were previously enrolled but have not been in attendance within the last three semesters must also reapply.
• Documents and materials submitted to fulfill the application requirements become the property of the university and will not be returned.
• Application materials are kept for 1 year for incomplete files and for 3 years for individuals who complete an application and are accepted, but do not enroll.

 Back to Top

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for degree-seeking, regularly-admitted graduate students.  Please contact North Georgia's Student Financial Aid Office mailto:finaid@northgeorgia.edu for details and applications.

Back to Top

General Admissions Requirements for the Master of Arts in History

• Students will be admitted into the program fall semester only of each academic year on a selective and competitive basis.
• Meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.
• Final admission is a competitive process that takes all aspects of a candidate's record into account.

Back to Top

 Requirements for Regular Admission

1. Graduate Admission Application or apply online.
2. $40 application fee.
3. North Georgia immunization certificate in accordance with the Board of Regents policy. Former North Georgia students are not required to submit new documentation.
4. Official transcripts from all regionally-accredited institutions of higher education previously attended.  Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions.  Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.  If you received your undergraduate degree from North Georgia, you do not need to submit official transcripts.
5. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) of no less than 156 on the verbal section taken on or after August 1, 2011 (550 prior to August 1, 2011)  and either a score of 141 on the quantitative section taken on or after August 1, 2011 (450 prior to August 1, 2011) or 4.0 on the analytical writing.  Only those scores that are less than six years old will be considered.
6. 3 letters of recommendation which address ability and academic potential.
7. Writing sample such as a research paper.
8. 1 - 2 page personal statement commenting on preparation for graduate study and educational/career goals.
9. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

• Baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, 4-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North's Georgia Graduate Admission procedures is required.
• International transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations certifying that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.00 (4.0 scale) is required.
• Undergraduate major in anthropology, history, international affairs, philosophy, political science, or other appropriate fields is required.  Students may be required to take core history courses at the undergraduate level for preparation for graduate study.

        Back to Top

Provisional Admission

Applicants may be granted provisional admission in cases where regular admission is not granted and the gpa and test scores outlined below are met.

Back to Top

Application Checklist for Provisional Admission

1. Graduate Admission Application or apply online. 
2. $40 application fee.
3. North Georgia Immunization Certificate in accordance with the Board of Regents policy. Former North Georgia students are not required to submit new documentation.
4. Official transcripts from all regionally-accredited institutions of higher education previously attended. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions.  Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.  If you received your undergraduate degree from North Georgia, you are not required to submit official transcripts.
5. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) of no less than 150 on the verbal section taken on or after August 1, 2011 (450 prior to August 1, 2011)  and either a score of 140 on the quantitative section taken on or after August 1, 2011 (400 prior to August 1, 2011) or 3.5 on the analytical writing.  Only those scores that are less than six years old will be considered.
6. 3 letters of recommendation addressing ability and academic potential.
7. Writing sample such as a research paper.
8. 1 - 2 page personal statement commenting on your preparation for graduate study and education/career goals.
9. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.  

• Baccalaureate from a regionally accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia Graduate Admission procedures is required.
• International transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations certifying that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) is required.
• Undergraduate major in anthropology, history, international affairs, philosophy, political science, or other appropriate fields is required.  Students may be required to take core history courses at the undergraduate level for preparation for graduate study.
• Students admitted provisionally may register for no more than a total of 9 hours of graduate credit.
• Student status will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following completion of 6 hours.
• Provisionally admitted students who earn a grade less than a "B" in any graduate course taken during the provisional period will not be allowed to continue taking courses in the MA History program.
• Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may reapply for admission by submitting a letter to the Master of Arts in History program coordinator after a period of 1 year from the date the student was removed.
• Provisionally admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

   Back to Top

Language Requirement

All candidates for the M.A. degree in history must demonstrate competency in one language in addition to English.

The language competency requirement is met by taking a translation examination administered by the department. The exam will be a translation of about 500 words to be completed in two hours with a dictionary allowed. The translation exam may be attempted three times.

• If a student has completed 4 semesters of a foreign language, or the equivalent, within the last 5 years at a university or community college, the student is eligible to take the translation exam with no further course work. For a non-European language, the student should consult with his/her primary professor concerning minimum skill level to qualify for the translation exam.
• If a student’s foreign language hours are more than 5 years old, the student must take a competency exam.
• If successful in placing at the level of a 4th semester in the language, the student is eligible to take the translation exam.

In order to pass the translation examination, a student may find it necessary to take language courses at North Georgia or another institution. These courses do not count toward the degree requirements for the M.A. in History.

Back to Top

Non-Degree Admission

Individuals interested in taking graduate History courses, but do not want to pursue a graduate degree, may apply for admission as a non-degree graduate student.

• Individuals must receive pre-approval from the Master of Arts in History program coordinator before enrolling in courses.
• Individuals may register for no more than a total of 9 hours of graduate credit.

Back to Top

Application Checklist for Non-Degree Admission

1. Graduate Admission Application or apply online.
2. $40 application fee.
3. North Georgia Immunization Certificate in accordance with the Board of Regents policy. Former North Georgia students are not required to submit new documentation.
4. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended.  Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions.  Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.  If your undergraduate degree was received from North Georgia, you are not required to submit official transcripts.
5. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) of no less than 150 on the verbal section taken on or after August 1, 2011 (450 prior to August 1, 2011)  and either a score of 140 on the quantitative section taken on or after August 1, 2011 (400 prior to August 1, 2011) or 3.5 on the analytical writing.  Only those scores that are less than six years old will be considered.
6. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.  

• Baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, 4-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admission procedures is required.
• International transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations certifying that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) is required.
• Undergraduate major in anthropology, history, international affairs, philosophy, political science, or other appropriate fields is required.  Students may be required to take core history courses at the undergraduate level for preparation for graduate study.
• Non-degree students wishing to apply for regular admission to the Master of Arts with a Major in History degree program must submit a new application and meet all program admission requirements.
• Elective credit to be applied toward a degree must be approved by the History program coordinator.
• Non-degree admitted students who earn a grade less than a "B" in any graduate History course taken while holding a non-degree status will not be allowed to continue to enroll in Master of Arts with a Major in History courses.
• Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may not reapply.
• Non-degree admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

Back to Top

Transient Admission

• Individuals currently enrolled at a regionally-accredited college or university as graduate students in good standing may apply to North Georgia as a transient students.
• Individuals must receive pre-approval from Master of Arts with a Major in History program coordinator before enrolling in courses.  
• Permission to take courses does not indicate or imply subsequent admission into the MA program.
• Transient credit is capped at 6 credits for 1 semester.
• Requests will be considered on a space-available basis.
• Transient students must apply each semester.

Back to Top

Application Checklist for Transient Admission

1. Graduate Admission Application or apply online.
2. $40 application fee.
3. North Georgia Immunization Certificate in accordance with the Board of Regents policy. Former North Georgia students are not required to submit new documentation.
4. Letter of good standing or transient permission form documenting that the student is not on academic probation or suspension or on disciplinary suspension at his or her home institution. The letter or form should state that the student is in good standing and should indicate the course(s) the student is being allowed to take at North Georgia.
5. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.  

Back to Top

Appeal of Graduate Admission

A candidate whose application is denied has the right to appeal the decision.

1. Appeals must be be made in written from to:
   Graduate Program in History
   Department of History & Philosophy
   82 College Circle
   North Georgia College & State University
   Dahlonega, Georgia 30597-1001
2. Letter should clearly state the grounds for appeal.
3. Students whose appeals are accepted will be admitted as provisional students and must complete at least 6 hours with a grade less than "B" to be considered for regular admissions.
4. Students are not eligible for financial aid while taking courses under a provisional admission status.
5. Students may not appeal for regular admission.

Back to Top